Chapter 4

~James~

"You did what? Why would you divorce your wife? You’ve got to be kidding!" my friend Stefan said angrily.

I took a slow sip of my drink, pretending not to care. I already knew this was the kind of reaction I’d get.

Stefan and the rest of my friends had always taken Rose’s side. Even though they usually stayed out of our personal issues, it was clear where their loyalty stood. Except for Kris, who never liked her.

So today wasn’t any different. When they found out I actually divorced Rose, they were shocked.

"Don’t mind James. He’s just messing with us," Anthony said, nudging Stefan and laughing.

I let out a deep sigh, set my glass on the table, and looked at Anthony.

"I’m serious. I really divorced her."

I didn’t even have to look at them to know they were stunned. I rarely joked, and they all knew that.

“You idiot! Why would you do that?” Stefan snapped again, clearly upset.

"Let’s just calm down. Maybe James meant he’s planning to divorce her. He couldn’t have done it without telling us first."

"What’s the big deal?" Kris jumped in. "He divorced her. So what? She’s too basic and boring anyway."

"For God’s sake, Kris, shut up!" Stefan countered. fired back at him.

"Please… just leave, all of you." I quickly said.

“No way. We're not leaving until you tell us you're joking,” Stefan insisted.

“Why would you all think he's joking?” Kris cut in. “We all know James doesn't even like Rose.”

I ignored their argument. They could go back and forth all night if they wanted. I was tired of listening.

“Bye,” I said, not bothering to wait for a response. I grabbed my suit jacket and walked out.

But I didn’t leave the building like they expected. I went into another quiet room and started drinking heavily. I didn’t know why I was doing it, but I knew I was sad.

It was pretty late by the time I left. I figured Stefan and the others had already gone home.

I walked to my car and started the engine. While driving, my thoughts drifted back to Rose. I knew I shouldn’t be thinking about her, but I couldn’t help wondering if she was still at home. She couldn’t have left, right? We signed the divorce papers, yes, but did I really want her to go?

I didn’t think so. But how could I want her back after what she did? Sneaking around with other men while pretending to love me, it made me sick.

I sneered and gripped the wheel tighter. I just wanted to get home, shut the world out, and be alone.

When I got home, the place was quiet. The servants were probably gone for the day.

I toss my suit aside in frustration. Looking around only made me angrier.

Maybe it was because the usual sweet scent in the house was gone. Or maybe it was because I was still drunk and restless.

A bunch of excuses ran through my mind, but I knew none of them were true.

Ugh.

I didn’t let myself think too much. I rushed upstairs and looked around, room by room, feeling uneasy. When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I came back downstairs and searched every corner.

After a while, I stopped, out of breath.

“Argh, James, you're crazy.” I muttered, smacking my forehead with my palm.

I knew exactly what I was looking for. But I wasn’t going to admit it, not even to myself.

Minutes pass, or maybe hours, I'm not sure how long it took. I just sat there, staring at the front door, hoping for something… or someone.

Eventually, I gave up and went to bed.

The next morning, I came down for breakfast. I wasn’t really hungry, and I knew the food would taste bland, but I sat down anyway.

Then, suddenly, the front door opened. One of the servants walked in, followed by my mother.

“Mom,” I said, surprised.

She hardly ever visited, especially not this early. In fact, she barely came around at all, and that was because of Rose.

“How are you, my son?” she asked gently.

The servant took her bag while she came closer and sat across from me.

“Mom, are you hungry?” I asked, ready to call the maid to serve her, but she waved her hand.

“No, don’t bother. I’m not here for that,” she said, looking unusually excited.

I gave her a suspicious look.

“Then why are you here?” I asked, frowning.

“I have good news for you,” she said with a big smile, which only made me frown more.

“What kind of news?”

I didn’t want to guess, but I figured she probably planned another long trip with her friends. That was her usual kind of “good news.”

Still, I waited for her to speak. Maybe it was something different this time—maybe a cruise or something.

“Guess!” she said, still smiling wide.

I raised my eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

“Trust me, you’ll be shocked when I tell you,” she said, clearly thrilled.

I was about to respond when my phone rang. It was my assistant, Thomas.

“Boss,” he greeted.

“What is it?” I asked right away. I’d canceled all my meetings today, so it couldn’t be work-related.

“It’s about Ma’am Rose,” he said.

“What about her?”

The call ended, and my phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor. I stared at my mom in silence.

She was still smiling, completely unaware of the change in my mood.

“You don’t know this, but that girl Rose is dead,” she said cheerfully. “The news was all over, and I just had to come tell you myself.”

She looked way too happy as she said it, but my hands were shaking under the table.

Thomas had just called to tell me the same thing. I didn’t believe it then.

Now… my mom too?

I went completely numb.

I couldn’t speak.

I couldn’t move.

Rose is dead.